Eye make-up shortcuts: Yes, it's possible to look amazing from the moment you wake-up before the make-up!

I was talking on the phone to a girlfriend the other day about the magical new eyelash potion, Revitalash- "I got it from my mom whose been using it for about a month and she said you can see a major difference in about two weeks. It's only been three nights for me but I'm trying to count my lashes now so I can see if it really works..." Here was her response: "Well my problem is that my lashes are just too full and too long..." Now I love my girlfriend, I really do and I sympathize with her long, thick lashes dilemma as she genuinely complained, "They are a pain! They clump with mascara and are totally unruly." But Moby (the singer) said it best- you can't whine about your hair to a man who is bald. That's me paraphrasing but that was the general idea. The bottom line is that probably for the rest of the female population, we would rather deal with unruly long, thick, clumpy lashes than struggle with thin, short, well-struggling lashes.

So here are some options for those of us who need help to create the façade that we don't need any help at all-

Eyes: You want to wake-up out of bed doe-eyed and fresh. All you need to do is brush your teeth, a hint of lip gloss, a shake of the head and you are ready to go. this dream can be your reality-- More on the lip gloss and hair later but we're going to do our eyes first.

Options:

• Micropigmentation
• Eyelash Perming
• Eyelash extensions
• Eyelash transplants
• Eyelash tinting

Micropigmentation: (Also known as Permanent Eyelash Enhancement)

Micropigmentation is a fancy way of saying permanent make-up or tattooing. The thing is that permanent eyeliner is really not that permanent. It only lasts 2-3 years depending on your life-style. And tattooing to me makes me think of a heart with an arrow through it so I don't really feel like that term applies here either. Permanent eyeliner, if performed correctly can create the illusion of a thick, dark lash line and can make you appear younger, more alert. Eyes are one of the most stand-out features on your face so you want it to well, stand-out. Dermagraphics technicians, that's what cosmetic tattoo artists are officially called, charge anywhere from $250 dollars to $2000. I actually spoke with a lady in San Francisco who literally choked on her words as she gave me her rate of $2000. Upon being questioned on her rate, she tells me that for two thousand her clients can come back any time for touch-ups for up to one year. The $300 dollar dermagraphics technician told me, "Yes, we all know that lady and it's a total rip-off. First she uses a tattoo gun and second, if she does a really good job the first two times (a two-week touch-up is necessary) then why does anyone need to go back at all!" Here is a break down of average rates and eye services offered now in the world of micropigmentation: • $300 Eyebrows • $300 Eyeliner Upper • $250 Eyeliner Lower

I just had it done and every time I pass by a mirror BEFORE I put on any make-up, I am astounded by what a huge difference it makes. I opted for a really thin line along my lashes so it doesn't even look like I'm wearing an eyeliner. I decided to get it done because my eyes are really sensitive and it was reacting to any liners that got too close to my eyeballs. But really the best part is how quick it takes me to get out of the house. My husband can't believe it-- who knew that a little eyeliner job was going to actually change my lifestyle and relationship?? It was worth suffering through the week-long healing process. The actual application is not so bad-- it's the next three days that were a killer. My eyes were chapped and discharging, not to mention swollen. Everyone was extra kind and sweet to me and I only realized later that it's probably because I looked like I had been crying for 24 hours. It has been 10 days now and let's just say that the other day, I went swimming and I didn't have racoon eyes from the "waterproof" eyeliner and mascara. That alone has made it totally worth it. Here are two references:

http://www.micropigmentation.org/ http://www.yestheyrefake.net/micropigmentation.html

Eyelash perm: This is a godsend for girls whose lashes have all been pulled, tugged, warped, bent and ripped out by eyelash curlers. My work in the television industry has shown me that no matter how thick, luscious and long your lashes are, unless they have a nice curl to them, they are invisible in the two-dimensional world of a flat T.V. screen. And thus, to anyone whose looking at you head-on, you want to be able to see your lashes curled up to your eyelids-- this is how you accomplish the doe-eyed look ladies. This is the ultimate goal for every make-up artist. It creates the big, wide-eyed look that you see in all the celebrities. It is the bottom line, trick of the trade for lashes. So now we all want it right? But to achieve it is a whole other story-- the best eyelash curler out there is Tweezerman's Eyelash curler. I don't care what anyone else says-- it really works the best on all eye shapes. But there's one drawback to Tweezerman Lash curler-- you actually have to use it. Hence, the lash perm. It really works. And it only takes tweny minutes. It costs around $50 dollars and like I said, it really works. You wake up with curled lashes, you get out of the pool with curled lashes, you frolick in the ocean with curled lashes. And Tweezerman doesn't have to work as hard so you don't have to tug, rip, bend, warp and pull as hard. That means you get to keep your lashes, have them curly AND the perm lasts for 2-3 months depending on your life-style.

Eyelash Extensions: Here is what I like about eyelash extensions-- it is semi-permanent which means it will last about 2 to 3 months which is the average lifespan of an eyelash. It is natural looking and you don't have to wear mascara or curl it so it's low maintenence and you can CRY with real tears and still look like Demi Moore in Ghost. Here is what I don't like-- It ONLY lasts 2 months so it's not a permanent solution. It takes 2-3 hours to apply the extensions and that's a whole lot of time to just lie there with your eyes taped open. It is very expensive. A full set ranges from $185 to $500. Even still I think you can justify it especially for weddings, reunions, anniversarys, vacations, interviews, dinner with friends, a date, a trip to the mall, the grocery store, getting the mail, doing the dishes... well, convenience and beauty is sometimes worth the price and pain. Lavish lashes is just one of the eyelash extension company that's been getting press because of their claim of celebritity clients such as Beyonce.

http://www.lavishlashes.com/consumerindex.html

Eyelash Transplant: This is the most extreme measure for permanent eyelash make-over. It is an invasive, surgical procedure which should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a proven track record with eyelash transplants. It is a fairly new procedure-- less than 10 years old and only recently getting press as an alternative to extensions and false lashes. It costs about $2000-$3000 dollars although the rates can vary greatly depending on what you are having done. You are under ocal anesthesia and the entire procedure takes about three-five hours. The doctor gives you the local and then takes a small donor area from the back of your head which is later stitched up. It's about an inch or so in length and there will be a small scar left long after everything else has healed. After the procedure, you can walk out and you will be able to see but your eyes will be very, very swollen and it will be very, very uncomfortable. It will feel like the world's worst eye infection. Then the lovely scabbing begins as it heals-- it looks like and partly is crusty glue along your lash lines. Then all the lashes fall out before the new set of lashes grows in. Here's my two cents before you can check it out yourself on the website below for a detailed description of the procedure. Unless you truly need reconstructive surgery for your lashes because you don't have any or hardly have any, you will not notice that huge of a difference. The lashes that ARE transplanted, some grow in odd directions and some you just have to keep plucking because it's actually growing on the upper area of the lashline. Then some others you have to pluck because the lash density is actually like the density of your hair (the donor origins) and it is much thicker than your lashes and will stick straight out in a really awkward way. Bottom Line: LAST, LAST resort.

http://www.nadermedical.com/costs&special_packages.html

Eyelash Tinting: So God is fair. Remember my girlfriend with the long, thick lash problem? She can't go without black mascara because her long, thick lashes are invisible otherwise. Yes, she has light blondish, brown lashes. But there's a solution and that is Eyelash tinting. It's reasonably priced-- $14 to $25 dollars. That's like a tube of mascara! But wait, you have to be careful as with any of these procedures, they involve the eyes. Beauty DOES come after HEALTH and safety so a patch test is necessary, an experienced technician is a must, and though it is a common procedure, know that it is not FDA approved. Tread wisely and carefully-- do your homework and your research.

For additional reference, check out:

http://www.eyelashesrus.com/